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REAR - Kenda Trakmaster vs Pirelli MT43 - Opinions

Posted: 02:50 pm Sep 03 2013
by Clo-z-nuff
Looking for a new REAR trail riding tire, something DOT so I can get from trail to trail. Anyone have experience with both of these? Mostly single track, some fire roads. I'm not a "racer" and never will be. It will be going on a '01 KDX220.

Thanks!

REAR - Kenda Trakmaster vs Pirelli MT43 - Opinions

Posted: 04:46 pm Sep 03 2013
by nightfiref7efi
I have a mt43 on my kdx220 and it is amazing grips onto everything. I don't run it on the road though have read good reviews from people that do.

Re: REAR - Kenda Trakmaster vs Pirelli MT43 - Opinions

Posted: 05:04 pm Sep 03 2013
by 200Green
my kdx came with that kenda on the bike with the purchase! it was good tyre now am running Bridgestone M604 so much better :grin:

Re: REAR - Kenda Trakmaster vs Pirelli MT43 - Opinions

Posted: 06:36 pm Sep 03 2013
by diymirage
I think a better comparision would be the kenda K270 versus the MT43 (seeing as how the trakmaster is an 80/20 dirt tire and the K270 is a dualsport which is closer to the trails pattern)

having said that, I LOVE the trakmaster
the tire that came on my project bike was absolute junk, it looked like a street tire
on one of my trips to the local motorcycle store I noticed a trakmaster sitting in the junkpile with maybe 45% thread on it and I took it home for free (Batesy, that's your cue :wink: )

that trakmaster lasted me about another year and a half and did so well on the Michigan trails (which is mainly loose sand) I actually went out a few weeks ago and BOUGHT a brand new trakmaster
that one went on my plated KDX which had a K270 tire on it
the K270 did great on the street BUT it did like to slip when shifting through a turn on wet pavement...almost like drifting but unintentional
but on the aforementioned MI trails it lacked BIG time

I haven't had a chance to put a lot of street miles on the new trakmaster BUT it does great on the trails

having said all that, here are some things to consider
on the rocky mountain ORV site, a kenda K270 goes for 46.99, a trakmaster costs 54.99 and a MT43 will run you 79.99

provided the tires all have the same amount of traction (which isn't just the tire, it is also the pressure, the turf your on, the suspension, the rider and the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow) and they all wear the same you could almost buy 2 K270s for the price off a MT43

Re: REAR - Kenda Trakmaster vs Pirelli MT43 - Opinions

Posted: 08:08 pm Sep 03 2013
by rbates9
diymirage wrote: I noticed a trakmaster sitting in the junkpile with maybe 45% thread on it and I took it home for free (Batesy, that's your cue :wink: )
You couldn't get them to pay you what it cost to get rid of the tire?


You need to think about what your terrain is when thinking about tires. Trials tires do not tend to like sloppy mud. They will chew their way through but not like a knobby. Sand is fair too. But other then that the trials tires are great at most everything. But a trials tire is best with very low pressure and I found with the Michelin at 6 psi and full speed on black top is not a pleasurable experience. They will tend to slap and shake. I never had any issues off the blacktop even at speed though. I went with a trials tire a while ago and have been amazed at how well they wear, or don't wear. I was going thru a Maxis a year and should have gotten a new one about 3/4 of the way thru the season but would ride it out. With the trials tire I have over two seasons and will get at least one more, maybe two out of it.

Re: REAR - Kenda Trakmaster vs Pirelli MT43 - Opinions

Posted: 08:13 pm Sep 03 2013
by Actionman
I love my trak master tires! The rear especially feels great on hard pack, very good in Loam, and pretty good in mud. I drove 6 miles home on a rear flat one day and didn't hurt the knobs or tire a bit as well. I'm happy with it, and will be buying the same brand when my baby needs new shoes :)